Mikhail’s freedom was snatched away by Russian authorities after he attended the May 2012 Bolotnaya Square anti-Putin protest. For taking part in the protest, Mikhail was beaten, jailed, drugged, and sentenced to psychiatric treatment.

Amnesty observers attended multiple court hearings on Kosenko’s case. The judge refused to allow an independent examination of Mikhail’s mental health. Mikhail’s family says he suffers from depression, but poses no danger to society.

ACTIVISTS JAILED – 5,000 people have been detained in Russia for “crimes” like expressing their political views

PUBLIC GATHERINGS BROKEN UP – In June 2012, a mass pillow fight in St. Petersburg was dispersed by police for being an “unauthorized gathering”

GAY RIGHTS CURTAILED – Moscow LGBTI individuals are under threat of arrest for “propaganda of homosexuality.” Since June 2013, authorities have arrested peaceful protesters for “promoting” same sex relationships and have failed to prosecute vigilante groups that support violence and intolerance towards those in the LGBTI community.

Putin’s prisoner amnesty seems to indicate that he cares deeply about bad publicity. So let’s generate some more.

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About Samir Goswami

Samir Goswami is the Managing Director of the Individuals and Communities at Risk Program at Amnesty International USA.View all postsRSS Feed

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